By the time you read this our church group of 46 will have said “Arrivederci” to Florence and Rome. The final stop on our “Bible and Art” tour was the Basilica of Santa Croce, where legend suggests that St. Francis of Assisi laid the cornerstone. Michelangelo, Galileo and Dante are all buried here, along with many other famous Italians.
I was overwhelmed by the towering strength of the massive columns and the piercing radiance of the narrow stained glass chancel windows that enveloped us as we entered. It was like stepping from the ordinary into the extraordinary in a split second. Then my eye was drawn to the timber roof, which reminded me of ours - so warm and inviting while at the same time breathtakingly beautiful. It ushers you into the divine.
That’s when Mike Graves started describing how this gothic church is designed in the shape of the cross and he pointed to the nave of the church. Why is it called the nave he asked us? It’s called the nave, as in Navy, because the shape of the church is like an upside down ship that provides protection for us.
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How has the church been an upside down ship protecting you on your journey through life? The rites of the church: weddings, funerals, baptisms, baby dedications are moments when the nave comes over us and shelters us with God’s holy protection. And then there are the times when the soul is adrift: divorce, doubt, natural disasters, illness, career crises, addiction when the church provides safe passage through the storm. And this trip has reminded me that through friendship - a shared plate of bruschetta or a cup of wine poured out while discussing the Bible and art and life and the spirit of God seems to lift us out of the sea and chaos of life and carry us safely home into Christ’s infinite love.
Our church at 61st and Ward Parkway is stunningly beautiful and it is impossible for me to walk through it without pausing to worship God. And you are the ones who make it a nave.
With grace and peace,
Carla
To send Carla an email click HERE.
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HUMAN RIGHTS PILGRIMAGE
Oct. 24-27
Informational Meeting on June 14 at 6:00 p.m.
This pilgrimage to Birmingham and Montgomery, Alabama will include visits to the National Peace and Justice Museum, the Tuskegee Airmen Museum, the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Freedom Riders Museum.
The trip is planned in partnership with members of Swope Parkway United Christian Church. Participants will be encouraged to build relationships with members of the partner church by participating in a small group prior to the trip. The trip is led by Rev Carla Aday and Dr. Claudia Highbaugh, Retired Chaplain and Disciples of Christ pastor.
Cost is $1250 per person, double occupancy, or $1,600 single occupancy. Scholarships are available. Includes hotel; airfare, transportation from Atlanta to Alabama and all sights by motor coach; museum fees, three breakfasts, one lunch and two dinners, tips. Does not include: two dinners, two lunches, travel insurance, transport to Kansas City airport. (Without airfare, $875 double; $1225 single.)
An informational meeting will be held via Zoom on June 14 at 6:00 p.m. More details HERE.
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ONLINE SECURITY REMINDER: Recently we have received several reports of members being contacted through email or social media sites such as Facebook by fake profiles claiming to be church staff. Some reminders about online security:
- Be very careful if you receive messages that sound in any way suspicious or arrive at suspicious times, such as during the middle of the night.
- Some of these messages contain links that, when clicked, can download malware to your computer. Don't click on any links received through Facebook Messenger or direct messages from Instagram.
- Rev. Carla Aday and other staff do not use social media direct messaging to ask for assistance or money.
- Only give money through secure, trusted sources, and if you are not sure, contact the church first.
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SPIRITUALITY FOR THE REAL WORLD
Summer Sermon Series Begins Sunday
If reading the letters of the apostle Paul feels like ancient history, reading the book of James can feel like he’s reading our mail, watching our news. In this series, starting today, we’ll receive practical wisdom for what it means to be Christian in the real world.
Sun., June 12- Dr. Mike Graves preaching Part 1: Ode to Joy, based on James 1:2-4.
Worship with us in person at 9:01 (front lawn), 10:00 (chapel) or 11:00 (sanctuary) a.m. Click HERE to view our live stream. Miss last Sunday's worship? Watch it HERE.
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BREAKFAST ON THE LAWN THIS SUMMER
Sundays in June and July, 9:45-11:00 a.m.
Stay after early worship or come early before the 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. worship and enjoy a time of connecting with friends old and new as we celebrate the summer.
June 12 - Pastry, fruit, coffee
June 19 - Mini quiche, granola/yogurt parfait, fruit, pastry, coffee by Scrape the Plate catering
June 26 - Breakfast burritos and breakfast tacos and coffee by Taco Naco
July 3 - Pancakes
July 10 - to be announced
Breakfast will be complimentary; free will offering welcomed.
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REMAKING THE WORLD TOGETHER |
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ANNUAL GENEROSITY CAMPAIGN
Our annual generosity campaign, Remaking the World, continues. Estimate of Giving cards have begun to come in and of those received, nearly 50 percent have increased their planned giving for the coming year. It's not too late for you to share you giving estimate for the 2022-2023 year. You may:
Thank you again for your past support and ongoing faithfulness. We are grateful for you and that you are a part of our church family.
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CONGREGATIONAL VOTE FOR LAY LEADERSHIP
Voting continues on the leadership slate for the 2022-2023 church year through June 11. You can view the slate and vote here, or by calling 816-381-9254.
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ROOTS SUMMER FUN!
Roots provides opportunities for adults in their 20s and 30s to connect as community, to learn and grow spiritually, and to make a change in our city through service-learning projects. Join us for these opportunities to connect and grow together.
Roots Dog Park Meet-up!
Sat., June 25 • 3:30-5:30 p.m. • Shawnee Mission Dog Park
Join us out at Shawnee Mission Park at the off-leash dog park near 87th and Ridgeview for a Roots get-together. Dogs are recommended but not required. RSVP now!
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PARTNERSHIP WITH SCRAPS KC
This summer the church is partnering with Scraps KC, serving as its summer site for cleaning and repurposing 15,000 pounds of school supplies, and you can help! This is a great activity for a group or as a family and kids as young as 3 can participate with an adult. All repurposed supplies are donated to school teachers. Service opportunities are on Tuesdays and Thursdays in June and a few weeks into July, from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. and noon - 2:00 p.m. More information and sign up form at cccckc.org/scraps.
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GRACE AT WORK PARTNERSHIP DAY
Sat., June 25 9:00 - 11:30 am
The Metro Mission Team is hosting a work day with one of our northeast partners Sheffield Place. Come volunteer to help in their community garden raised beds, community gardens and flower beds. Bring work gloves, reusable water bottle and small gardening tools (if available). Great project for families! Sign up HERE.
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JUNE COLLECTION CONNECTION
The Metro Mission Team is collecting items during the month of June to support reStart,Inc., which supports people in need of housing. New or gently used twin size sheets, and new or gently used bath and hand towels are needed for their residential program. Please make sure items are clean. Bring donations to church weekdays between 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m, or on Sunday mornings.
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GET TO KNOW OUR PARTNER AGENCIES
The Metro Mission Team invites you to attend information/open houses sponsored by several of the agencies we support with grants and volunteers. These sessions are open to the public, so bring a friend and introduce others to some local agencies doing life transforming work.
Amethyst Place - Tunes on Troost
2732 Troost
First Fridays in the summer, July 1 and Aug. 5, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Food trucks, music, kids activities, campus tours and more! No RSVP needed.
reStart Campus Tours
918 E. 9th Street
Thurs. July 14, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Join reStart CEO, Stephanie Boyer and tour their facility and learn more about the work they do addressing the many facets of homelessness throughout the metro. RSVP HERE.
Sheffield Place
6600 East 12th Street, KCMO
Tues., July 12, 7:30 - 9:00 a.m. or Wed., July 13 11:30 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
Learn about the mission of Sheffield Place, tour the facility, hear from a client, and learn how you can become involved in making a difference! Breakfast or lunch provided. For questions or to RSVP, please email David Hanzlick.
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EVERYDAY JUSTICE
FIELD TRIP TO REDLINED EXHIBIT
Sat., July 9, noon
Join this field trip to the “Redlined: Cities, Suburbs, and Segregation,” an exhibit at the Johnson County Arts and Heritage Center (8788 Metcalf Avenue. The exhibit takes visitors on a deep dive into the history of redlining and how it both shaped and was shaped by Johnson County and the region. Admission is $6 adults and $5 for seniors. We’ll meet at noon for lunch (location TBD) with the museum tour beginning at 1:30 p.m. RSVP now to Lisa. More info HERE
GUN VIOLENCE
In response to the tragic shootings in recent weeks some in the congregation have asked for action steps they might take to accompany our prayers. In the days after the shooting, local Kansas City clergy gathered to call for increased gun safety and better mental health as well as a host of other options. For those who wish to encourage elected leaders to do something different in order to heal and bring wholeness to our fragmented world, the Everyday Justice small group of the church provides the following resources. It is up to each of us to advocate for what we see are the next best steps. Click HERE for some tips and resources.
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FAMILY FUN IN THE BACK YARD
Join us Sunday afternoon from 4:00-5:30 p.m. for some fun in the backyard. We will have bubbles, balls, backyard games and chalk available for the kids to play. A frozen snack for all. Come catch up with your faith community.
SUMMER WORSHIP
We invite children who have finished 3rd grade and above to worship with their families during the 9:01, 10:00 or 11:00 services. Childcare will be provided for Preschool -2nd grade in the backyard during 9:01, 10:00 a.m., and on the second floor during 11:00 a.m. Infants and toddler childcare continues to be available on the ground floor during all three services. Sunday School will resume this fall.
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YOUTH
SUMMER SERVICE LEARNING TRIPS
Join us to serve, learn and grow together as a youth group. More information about both trips and registration packet HERE.
MIDDLE SCHOOL - Youth who have completed grades 6-8 will travel to St. Louis, Sun. June 26-Wed., June 29.
HIGH SCHOOL - Youth who have completed grades 9-12 will travel to Chicago Sun., July 10-Sat. July 16, 2022.
SUMMER FUN!
Along with our summer service-learning trips, youth are invited to a few opportunities to get together for fun and for service here in Kansas City! See below for our special socials, and stay tuned for service opportunities:
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Sunday, June 12, 12:15-2:30 p.m.: Lunch and Scavenger Hunt! (For youth completed grades 6-12)
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Wednesday, July 20, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.: Worlds of Fun! (For youth completed grades 6-12)
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Wednesday, August 3, 6:30-8:30 p.m.: Chicken and Pickle! (For incoming youth grades 6-12)
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Meeting you where you are and walking alongside you
on your spiritual journey to a life with greater meaning.
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